Comments on: Damage Control: Obama Family Makes Donation To D.C. Humane Society

By: The Hope and Change Litter » i Love Dogs

The Hope and Change Litter » i Love Dogs — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:03:13 +0000

[...] the Obamas had planned to rescue a dog, after having received Bo as a gift, they have instead pledged a donation to the Humane Society of the United States. The Obamas are Bo’s second adoptive [...]

By: Marie Jones

Marie Jones — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:34:47 +0000

Obama blew it, he is a jerk in my mind now. He lied in order to get votes. Do you think Biden would have gone out and purchased a German Shepard from a known puppy mill if his new boss really opposed it. Neither of these idiots will ever get my vote again. And to the woman who thinks we animal activists are being melodramatic, you need to get a clue and realize Obama just gassed millions of dogs to death by his lame decision. Dope!!

By: Carly Goodman

Carly Goodman — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:49:11 +0000

I look forward to the Republicans seizing this opportunity to revitalize the party by becoming the animal and environmental group. Why not switch it up a bit? Rush Limbaugh is going in ‘the right’ direction with his HSUS ads. If Obama won’t deliver hope for shelter animals, maybe Rush will!

By: SusieQ

SusieQ — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:48:54 +0000

I am very disappointed in the anger and hatred and self-righteousness in these postings. Did anyone accomplish anything or change anyone’s mind? This vile behavior is a symptom of the lack of respect people have for one another. I love dogs. I just love dogs.

By: Erin Raw foods retreat

Erin Raw foods retreat — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:00:49 +0000

Lynn I totally agree with you and yes, if I were offered a dog from a friend who were a great fit for my family I might think twice before refusing and getting one from the pound instead. I might agree to take this dog… EXCEPT if I were the president of the United States of America. And I knew that this would cause (some think thousands millions?) to go out and buy pure breds. In that case as one of the most popular presidents EVER (and first black prez etc) I would decline.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:41:40 +0000

I really hope that any donations made will go to a humane society that actually shelters dogs and cats. HSUS does some good works in other areas, but the organiation DOES NOT have a single animal shelter, so a donation to them wouldn’t directly help shelter animals.

By: Ariane

Ariane — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:29:47 +0000

President Obama did say he would prefer “a mutt like me” from a shelter and I wish they would have done so. But I do understand parents being worried about a child with bad allergies; many parents in that situation don’t allow their children to have a pet at all. And I’m sure one consideration was that if they HAD gotten a mutt from a shelter and then had to give it away because of Malia’s allergies, the kids and the dog would be heartbroken and the public would be attacking them for abandoning the dog.
Hopefully Malia will do fine and if so, who knows, maybe they’ll decide sometime down the road to get another dog or a cat from a shelter. Hey, I can hope.

I for one am not going to feel like the world is coming to an end or that I can never vote for Obama because the First Family is giving a home to a 6 month old pup who was unwanted by the family who first had him. I am glad he has a second chance.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:42:14 +0000

Christine,
I hear you, and I was aware of the number of animals on “death row”. My take o this is that the public following trends of stars, or of their neighbors has a large part in the tragedy of so many animals living and dying in shelters.
You gave many excellent arguments for why mixed-breed dogs are a better choice, and I think focusing on the people who will adopt animals with that kind of consideration and regard is the way to go.
I have always had cats (10 over the year -almost all living to very old age) and all but one of them were from shelters or neighborhood. I love dogs and if I were to have one, I would look in a shelter first, however I would not refuse the gift of a dog that was a good fit for my family, if (and it is so unlikely) someone were to offer such a gift.

By: Erin @ RawfoodsRetreat.com

Erin @ RawfoodsRetreat.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:50:21 +0000

Go Christine!

Don’t let the fat big dog breeders like Susan get you down!

(I still hate Ted Kennedy)

By: Lance E Sloan

Lance E Sloan — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:32:28 +0000

I posted a comment about this in an article about PETA’s letter to the Obama family. While we probably can’t know for sure, it could be difficult to find one of several hypoallergenic breeds at a shelter, let alone a specific breed. The hypoallergenic quality of this dog breed is very important to the Obamas, so I think people just need to lighten up a bit.

I wouldn’t necessarily call the family’s donation to the Humane Society “damage control”, either. I believe they would have made the donation whether or not they obtained their dog from a shelter. But referring to it in this way makes some negative journalists feel smug, which is apparently all that really matters.